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Sheena Morris: Inquiry into death nearing its end

Kelly Osborn throws roses into the Gulf waters outside The BeachHouse Restaurant in Bradenton Beach on Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2013. It's been four years since Osborn's daughter, Sheena Morris, was found hanging in a hotel shower nearby on New Year's Day of 2009. Details surrounding her death are now being reinvestigated.

Published: Saturday, February 2, 2013 at 11:13 p.m.

Last Modified: Saturday, February 2, 2013 at 11:13 p.m.

The controversial investigation into the 2009 death of her daughter, Sheena Morris, is drawing to a close, says the prosecutor assigned to the case.

Assistant State Attorney Arthur Brown III has been receiving weekly updates from the three Florida Department of Law Enforcement special agents assigned to the investigation.

"They've indicated they're relatively close — two or maybe four weeks away," Brown said. "The investigation is ongoing, but they have accomplished many of their tasks."

Once the agents finish, they will present their findings to Brown, who will then officially decide if Morris committed suicide, as Bradenton Beach police have long maintained, or whether she was murdered, as her family insists.

If the investigation points toward murder, Brown will then decide whether there is enough evidence to file criminal charges.

Brown was a likely choice to oversee the investigation — a veteran prosecutor who has convicted 90 murderers with only four acquittals.

He deflected questions about his pending decision, which will be closely watched by thousands of people across the country, saying only he will "keep an open mind."

Morris, 22, was found hanging by a dog leash in a Bradenton Beach hotel room on New Year's Day 2009.

Bradenton Beach police quickly determined that the former cheerleader killed herself — a conclusion her family never accepted.

Osborn began a one-woman quest to find justice for her daughter, launching a website and well-coordinated social media campaign to pressure officials to reopen the case.

After the Herald-Tribune published a series of stories about Morris' death last year, the FDLE assembled a panel of experts to reexamine the case. The group consisted of seasoned prosecutors, detectives, forensic specialists and medical examiners.

The experts concluded that the case should be reopened, and the FDLE assigned three special agents to assist Bradenton Beach police with the investigation.

The experts compiled a list of more than a dozen suggestions needing follow-up, including additional interviews, forensic testing and gathering DNA and phone records.

Bradenton Beach police chief Sam Speciale, who did not respond to calls seeking comment for this story, has never released the entire list of suggestions.

Another TV turn

Last week, Osborn met with producers from a national television news program, which is devoting a one-hour episode to Morris' death.

The producers focused on Osborn's role in getting the case reopened — a process that took her nearly four years.

The interview, one of several by the program, was long and arduous.

"We talked about how I had to investigate my own daughter's murder, because the police wouldn't," Osborn said. "They were very interested in several aspects of the case."

The producers are waiting for the FDLE agents to finish their investigation before the program airs.

It will not be Osborn's first appearance on the national stage.

Late last year, Osborn and her daughter's former fiance, Joe Genoese, appeared on two episodes of the "Dr. Phil Show."

Genoese failed a polygraph examination on the show. Jack Trimarco, the former FBI polygraphist who conducted the test, said Genoese was deceptive when asked if he killed Morris or was somehow involved in her death.

Police were called to the couple's hotel to break up a domestic squabble just hours before Morris' body was found.

Trimarco, who has conducted more than 3,500 polygraph examinations including some of the most high-profile FBI cases, said he believes Genoese should have been questioned thoroughly years ago. Police waited nearly three weeks after Morris' death before interviewing Genoese in person.

Genoese, who says he had nothing to do with Morris' death, did not return calls seeking comment for this story.

Osborn described the last four years as "slow torture." She is anxious for closure, but still cautious.

"We're pleased FDLE is taking this very seriously. We take comfort in knowing there is a real investigation into Sheena's death," she said. "That's all we've been asking for all these years."

<p><em>BRADENTON BEACH</em> - Kelly Osborn could soon have an answer.</p><p>The controversial investigation into the 2009 death of her daughter, Sheena Morris, is drawing to a close, says the prosecutor assigned to the case.</p><p>Assistant State Attorney Arthur Brown III has been receiving weekly updates from the three Florida Department of Law Enforcement special agents assigned to the investigation.</p><p>"They've indicated they're relatively close — two or maybe four weeks away," Brown said. "The investigation is ongoing, but they have accomplished many of their tasks."</p><p>Once the agents finish, they will present their findings to Brown, who will then officially decide if Morris committed suicide, as Bradenton Beach police have long maintained, or whether she was murdered, as her family insists.</p><p>If the investigation points toward murder, Brown will then decide whether there is enough evidence to file criminal charges. </p><p>Brown was a likely choice to oversee the investigation — a veteran prosecutor who has convicted 90 murderers with only four acquittals.</p><p>He deflected questions about his pending decision, which will be closely watched by thousands of people across the country, saying only he will "keep an open mind."</p><p>Morris, 22, was found hanging by a dog leash in a Bradenton Beach hotel room on New Year's Day 2009.</p><p>Bradenton Beach police quickly determined that the former cheerleader killed herself — a conclusion her family never accepted. </p><p>Osborn began a one-woman quest to find justice for her daughter, launching a website and well-coordinated social media campaign to pressure officials to reopen the case.</p><p>After the Herald-Tribune published a series of stories about Morris' death last year, the FDLE assembled a panel of experts to reexamine the case. The group consisted of seasoned prosecutors, detectives, forensic specialists and medical examiners.</p><p>The experts concluded that the case should be reopened, and the FDLE assigned three special agents to assist Bradenton Beach police with the investigation.</p><p>The experts compiled a list of more than a dozen suggestions needing follow-up, including additional interviews, forensic testing and gathering DNA and phone records.</p><p>Bradenton Beach police chief Sam Speciale, who did not respond to calls seeking comment for this story, has never released the entire list of suggestions.</p><p>Another TV turn</p><p>Last week, Osborn met with producers from a national television news program, which is devoting a one-hour episode to Morris' death.</p><p>The producers focused on Osborn's role in getting the case reopened — a process that took her nearly four years. </p><p>The interview, one of several by the program, was long and arduous.</p><p>"We talked about how I had to investigate my own daughter's murder, because the police wouldn't," Osborn said. "They were very interested in several aspects of the case."</p><p>The producers are waiting for the FDLE agents to finish their investigation before the program airs.</p><p>It will not be Osborn's first appearance on the national stage.</p><p>Late last year, Osborn and her daughter's former fiance, Joe Genoese, appeared on two episodes of the "Dr. Phil Show." </p><p>Genoese failed a polygraph examination on the show. Jack Trimarco, the former FBI polygraphist who conducted the test, said Genoese was deceptive when asked if he killed Morris or was somehow involved in her death.</p><p>Police were called to the couple's hotel to break up a domestic squabble just hours before Morris' body was found.</p><p>Trimarco, who has conducted more than 3,500 polygraph examinations including some of the most high-profile FBI cases, said he believes Genoese should have been questioned thoroughly years ago. Police waited nearly three weeks after Morris' death before interviewing Genoese in person. </p><p>Genoese, who says he had nothing to do with Morris' death, did not return calls seeking comment for this story.</p><p>Osborn described the last four years as "slow torture." She is anxious for closure, but still cautious. </p><p>"We're pleased FDLE is taking this very seriously. We take comfort in knowing there is a real investigation into Sheena's death," she said. "That's all we've been asking for all these years."</p>